How to make a laser cut lamp

intro
 

introHow to make a laser cut lamp

I've been working with digital manufacturing start up Ponoko and we've been working on a few ideas of showcase products that can be easily made through our service (such as a wine rack and a spinning top).

I thought of creating a simple but stylish lamp that could be personalized with your own patterns and images. Lamps are great objects because they allow you to play with light and potentially project shapes across an entire room. Laser cutting is perfect for creating this type of object because it allows you to get a really high quality finish and fairly precise detail while keeping costs as low as possible.

How to make a laser cut lamp
flowers light side.JPGflowers light upright.jpgflowers light off.jpglight spaceinvaders.jpg

step 1The stuff you'll need


step 2Sketching the concept


step 3CAD modeling


step 4Transfering into vector software


step 5Finding and tracing a pattern


step 6Arrange on Ponoko template and exporting


step 7Uploading into Ponoko and Ordering Parts


step 8Receive parts and put together


step 9Enjoy


19 comments
Dec 16, 2007. 12:51 PMzaarsays:
hi, i like to know how you specify ponoko the size of the piezes,

thanks a lot
Dec 16, 2007. 1:18 PMdanemerysays:
Hi.
Ponoko currently has 3 sizes of material you can fit your designs onto. P1 (181x181mm or 7.1x7.1inches), P2 (384mmx384mm or 15.1x15.1inches) and a P3 (790x384mm or 31.1x15.1inches). You select what size material you want when you are uploading an eps file and choosing the material to make the design out of.
Nov 27, 2007. 9:28 AMSuppaflysays:
how much does something like that cost from Ponoko? Most of the things for sale on there look incredibly pricey for what they are.
Nov 27, 2007. 11:53 AMdanemerysays:
You can see the price breakdown if you scroll down the comments a bit.
Cheers
Nov 27, 2007. 11:12 AMbapsays:
Great design! Perhaps I missed it somewhere but you might consider including specific information about material thickness and sheet size for those who are still on the learning curve. :)
Nov 27, 2007. 11:52 AMdanemerysays:
The acrylic is Arctic Ice 4.5mm thick and will fit onto a 384x384mm (a P2 template) size piece of material.
The Hardboard is 4.75mm thick and would fit on the same sheet size.
Thanks
Nov 27, 2007. 12:49 AMparonsays:
I realize that there are many CAD programs available, but, please, which package are you using?
Nov 27, 2007. 11:47 AMdanemerysays:
I have used Solidworks. Someone told us recently that Sketchup can output an eps, but it seems to be only the Pro version.
Nov 26, 2007. 4:04 PMgamersays:
nice laptop! i wish i had a laser cutter so i could make anything
-gamer
Nov 27, 2007. 8:26 AMflattopsays:
The point of the article is that you don't need a laser cutter. Ponoko will do the setup and cutting and send you the end result. All you need is the software to create the EPS files.

BTW danemery, that's a slick way to hold the lamp together.
Nov 26, 2007. 5:50 PMAK 48says:
About how much does this cost? I remember reading about this in the NY Times and verified that stuff does indeed ship out of New Zealand.. so while a test file was <$20 to cut, it was over $60 to ship! Is there an easier way to find a friendly laser cutter?
Nov 26, 2007. 8:30 PMjdlewissays:
Shipping is the biggest issue our users are letting us know about so we're working hard to make this less of a problem. We do have to ship out of NZ and this does make it more expensive - however it does arrive to most destination within 5-7 days.

Solving this problem really requires us to have a point of presence close to where you are. We're working to open a North American bureau first and then to expand from there. We hope to get this online as soon as we possibly can because we'd really like to get people making and know the shipping can turn people off. I'm looking forward to that day very much! :)
Nov 26, 2007. 7:45 PMrandofosays:
I have a laser cutter. How do I make a lamp? I'm confused.

I think you should re-title this Instructable. It is misleading.
Nov 26, 2007. 7:56 PMdanemerysays:
You can download the files here and then make the lamp on your own laser cutter. Ponoko can allow people to make things if they don't have their own laser cutter.
Nov 26, 2007. 6:43 PMdanemerysays:
Pricing for this lamp (with flowers engraving) works out like this.
Hardboard - Standard
Cutting cost: $6.08
Material cost: $7.14
Acrylic - Arctic Ice
Cutting cost: $14.24
Material cost: $17.83
Nov 26, 2007. 6:00 PMJoe426says:
How much did Ponoko charge you?
Nov 26, 2007. 5:09 PMdanemerysays:
Thanks for the comments. I'm glad you like it.
Nov 26, 2007. 4:06 PMGorillazMikosays:
cool :-)
Nov 26, 2007. 3:48 PMtrialexsays:
Even though you are using a specific commercial entity, nice explanation and discussion of techniques and the design process.

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